Stabbing in Plympton: heroic act by mother Susan Scardigno to save her colleague Julie Seed
EXCLUSIVE
A mother is fighting for her life after she was allegedly stabbed by a “mentally ill” stranger in a random attack on her real estate agency as she tried to protect her friend.
Susan Scardigno, 50, was working at the Real Estate Agents Group office in Plympton, Adelaide, on Wednesday when Shaun Michael Dunk, 30, allegedly burst through the door and stabbed her and her colleague, Julie ‘Julez’ Seed, 38.
Mrs Seed died at the scene. Ms Scardigno was rushed to hospital where she remains in critical but stable condition.
A friend of Ms. Scarigno claims she suffered her injuries while trying to protect Ms. Seed.
‘I am devastated for Julie’s family and may they rest in peace, there are no words for this [alleged] horrific event that took place,” the friend said.
“I am more than anyone’s relieved that Susan survived, but I know her scars will be a reminder (forever) of her fight to save her friend.”
Julez Seed (left) and Susan Scardigno (right) were allegedly stabbed by a stranger at their workplace on Wednesday
In a sliding door-to-door moment, the friend revealed that her mother — who also works with Ms. Scarigno and Ms. Seed — had only just gone on Christmas vacation.
“My mother had only left to go on annual leave to visit me… this could have been her without a doubt as there are only five people in their office,” she wrote.
‘So much devastation just before Christmas for all the families affected.
“You never know when your time is up, so hold on to your loved ones and be grateful for even the smallest things.”
Health chiefs have launched an investigation to find out why the mentally ill man – who had been receiving inpatient treatment – was released into the community by the Royal Adelaide Hospital just 48 hours earlier.
Mr. Dunk was charged Thursday with the murder of Ms. Seed and the attempted murder of Ms. Scardigno.
Ms. Scardigno has worked at the agency for five years as a business development manager, while Ms. Seed was hired two years ago.
A daughter of one of Ms Scarigno’s colleagues has claimed she tried to save Ms Seed from their alleged attacker
Julie ‘Julez’ Seed, 38, is pictured with her fiancé Chris Smith
Ms Scardigno is pictured with her partner, Sean Sykes, on a recent night out in Sydney
The alleged attack is yet another tragedy for the Scardigno family after her husband Paul was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a terminal disease, 19 years ago.
She became his full-time caregiver as his illness rapidly progressed, leaving him wheelchair-bound, and the couple and their daughter uprooted their lives in Melbourne to move back to Adelaide to be closer to their family.
In 2017, the couple took part in a video series produced by Cara, a South Australian disability services provider, to shed light on the issues faced by couples struggling with an MS diagnosis.
The couple later split and Ms Scardigno began a new relationship around 2019 with Sydney bank manager Sean Sykes, who is the head of a credit department for the Commonwealth Bank.
Despite her divorce and new relationship, Ms. Scardigno remained actively involved in the care of her disabled, estranged husband as of April 2022.
Police officers are pictured at the scene of the alleged attack on Wednesday
Close friend Cathy Black told how Ms Seed was enjoying her best life before the tragedy, after getting engaged a year ago with a ‘beautiful family’ and starting her dream job two years ago
In the wake of the tragedy, close friends have paid tribute to Mrs Seed, a mother of two daughters aged 12 and 18, from Morphett Vale, who got engaged to partner Chris Smith a year ago.
“Julez was a beautiful soul, she had a smile that lit up the room,” close friend Cathy Black told Daily Mail Australia. ‘She was very loved.
‘Julez and Chris were so happy together, it’s tragic. She was always happy, everyone loved her.
‘She was a wonderful mother of two beautiful girls, one of whom just turned 18.
“It’s heartbreaking to think that she finally had everything she ever wanted in her life, only to be so tragically taken from the world in a senseless, random act of violence that should never have happened.
‘Now the entire life of a beautiful family has been torn apart… and just before Christmas.
“My heart breaks for her family.”
Photos on social media show Ms Seed (right) celebrating 2021 Melbourne Cup Day with her real estate industry colleagues, who described her as a ‘little diamond’ and one of the ‘happiest in our office’
Nearly a year ago, to the day she died, Mrs. Seed had celebrated Christmas with her colleagues with a limousine ride to their Christmas party location (pictured)
Mrs. Black also fondly remembered Mrs. Seed’s lifelong affection for cows: “She loved cows. Anything to do with cows, she was obsessed with cows!
“She had just found everything she was looking for – a beautiful mother, two beautiful girls, a beautiful family, a house, a fiancé – she had just gotten her dream job,” she added tearfully.
‘And then this happens.
“Innocent people are losing their lives and it’s not fair.”
Friend Amy Drummond said Mrs Seed was a “beautiful soul” who was “always positive and had so much kindness to give”.
“She knew how to put a smile on your face and was a wonderful friend and colleague,” she told Daily Mail Australia.
“She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.”
Photos on social media show Ms Seed celebrating Melbourne Cup Day 2021 with her real estate industry colleagues, who described her as a “little diamond” and one of the “happiest in our office”.
Ms Scardigno posted the photos on Facebook, adding: ‘Day out with my crew.
“Trifecta and Pick 4 in the bag, but would have traded the win to share this day again with this REAL Estate Agents Group.”
In the images, Ms Seed is seen happy and smiling, wearing a pink dress with black polka dots and a black fascinator, as she studies form guides in a local bar ahead of the race.
“What a great day,” Ms. Seed said in a reply to one of the photos.
In the wake of the tragedy, close friends have paid tribute to Mrs Seed, a mother of two daughters aged 12 and 18, from Morphett Vale who was engaged to Chris Smith (pictured together)
A specialist team of Medstar paramedics worked for more than an hour to save 38-year-old Julie Seed, but were unable to do so and she died at the scene.
South Australia Health has now launched a review of their trial after admitting the alleged killer had been treated for mental health issues just two days before the tragedy.
A spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: ‘The chief psychiatrist will review the circumstances surrounding this patient’s treatment and discharge.’
Witnesses told Nine News they were helpless to do anything but could hear desperate screams as the alleged attack began.
“I just hear a lady screaming and I’m listening to the door as it just closed,” one woman said.
“To stand here and watch was really scary and horrifying to see,” another added.
The real estate building is located next to a supermarket parking lot, where families were among those who saw the tragic events unfold.
Police said they recovered a knife and a small hammer from the crime scene.
“Two women were stabbed by a man she did not know,” a police statement said.
‘A 30-year-old man was arrested at the scene and has been charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted murder.
“He will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court today, Thursday, December 21.
“Major Crime detectives attended and are assisting Southern District officers with the investigation. A knife and a small hammer were seized at the scene.”
Officers have now called witnesses who were in the area at the time or may have dashcam footage.
Dunk appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court via video link on Thursday.
He was denied bail and the case was postponed until March 28, 2024.